Hamas chief congratulates Turkey's Erdogan on poll win

In a Tuesday statement, Hamas said Meshaal had phoned Erdogan to congratulate him on his presidential electoral win.

Erdogan, Turkey's outgoing prime minister, was elected president on Sunday by an outright majority, securing 51.96 percent of the vote, according to unofficial tallies.

Without providing exact numbers, Turkey's Supreme Election Board confirmed late Sunday that Erdogan had won the poll outright, eliminating the need for a run-off vote that had been scheduled for August 24.

Elected to a five-year term, Erdogan will take over the post from outgoing president Abdullah Gul.